IRB Rugby World Cup Match Preview

  South Africa vs. Samoa

09 September 2007 - 16:00(local time), Parc des Princes, Paris

This promises to be a great match and if Samoa watched the opening match of the tournament they must surely take heart from the Argentines performance. 

However, Samoa have been hit with a further injury to winger Anitele'a Tuilagi who has been ruled out of the tournament because of a wrist injury.  Head Coach Michael Jones has already lost  lock Filipo Levi and prop Donald Kerslake and the problem that Tuilagi suffered is set to keep him out of action for up to a month.

Coach Jones said:  "Anitele'a damaged his wrist in training on Tuesday," Jones admitted. "He's the third player we will have to replace. He's a great young talent, we're very sad.  "He's our youngest member and one of the three Tuilagi brothers (Leicester's Alesana and former Tigers star Henry). They're a force to be reckoned with."

Jake White South Africa's Head Coach has chosen a strong and experienced side to face Samoa.  The starting 15 have a combined 609 Test caps. The Boks pose a real threat this year, much more focused and at ease with the management then the last Rugby World Cup.  Some of their play makers will be  Burger, Matfield and of course Percy Montgomery.  Also an exciting  talent to watch out for will be Bryan Habana who is thought to be the fastest winger in international rugby. 

South Africa:

1. Os du Randt 2. John Smit (Calptain) 3. CJ van der Linde 4. Bakkies Botha 5. Victor Matfield 6. Schalk Burger 7. Juan Smith 8. Danie Rossouw 9. Fourie du Preez 10. Butch James 11. Bryan Habana 12. Jean de Villiers 13. Jaque Fourie 14. JP Pietersen 15. Percy Montgomery

Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis 17. Brendon Botha 18. Johannes Muller 19. Wickus van Heerden 20. Enrico Januarie 21. Andre Pretorius 22. Francois Steyn

Samoa team:

1 Justin Va'a 2 Mahonri Schwalger 3 Census Johnston 4 Joe Tekori 5 Kane Thompson 6 Daniel Leo 7 Semo Sititi (Captain) 8 Henry Tuilagi 9 Junior Polu 10 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 11 Alesana Tuilagi 12 Jerry Meafou 13 Gavin Williams 14 Lome Fa'atau 15 David Lemi

Replacements:16 Tanielu Fuga 17 Kas Lealamanua 18 Alfie Vaeluaga 19 Justin Purdie 20 Elvis Seveali'I 21 Loki Crichton 22 Brian Lima

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